Lenny Tristia Tambun, Jakarta – The city government plans to do away with civil servants' official cars in favor of a monthly transportation stipend as part of a drive to get more officials out of their cars and onto public transport.

The regulation, signed by President-Elect Joko Widodo and secretary Saefullah, will take effect later this year.

"The gubernatorial regulation has been signed by the Governor and myself – as the Jakarta secretary. It will be in effect starting this coming September," Saefullah said on Saturday.

Any civil servant wishing to hand in their official car and receive the stipend may do so before September. It was unclear on Saturday how many people the government expected to exercise this option prior to September.

The allowance varies commensurate with seniority. Echelon IV officials (ward chiefs, section heads) will receive Rp 4.5 million per month, while mayors and heads of provincial agencies in the Echelon I bracket will be handed Rp 12.5 million a month.

"Regular staff will receive s stipend depending on their ranks," Saefullah added. The regulation will see a moratorium on the city's car-procurement pipeline and cut the Jakarta government's budget for maintaining its cars.

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/jakarta/jakarta-govt-take-back-officials-cars-hand-stipend/